Neural Cell News Volume 8.17 | May 7 2014

Young Blood Reverses Age-Related Impairments in Cognitive Function and Synaptic Plasticity in Mice
Genome-wide microarray analysis of heterochronic parabionts – in which circulatory systems of young and aged animals are connected – identified synaptic plasticity-related transcriptional changes in the hippocampus of aged mice. Dendritic spine density of mature neurons increased and synaptic plasticity improved in the hippocampus of aged heterochronic parabionts. [Nat Med] Abstract | Press Release

Prospective Identification and Purification of Quiescent Adult Neural Stem Cells from Their In Vivo Niche
Adult neurogenic niches harbor quiescent neural stem cells; however, their in vivo identity has been elusive. Researchers prospectively isolated GFAP⁺CD133⁺ (quiescent neural stem cells) and GFAP⁺CD133⁺EGFR⁺ (activated neural stem cells) from the adult ventricular-subventricular zone. [Neuron] Abstract

Aberrant Topoisomerase-1 DNA Lesions Are Pathogenic in Neurodegenerative Genome Instability Syndromes
Scientists observed the endogenous accumulation of pathogenic topoisomerase-1 (Top1)-DNA cleavage complexes (Top1ccs) in murine models of ataxia telangiectasia and spinocerebellar ataxia with axonal neuropathy 1. They found that the defective DNA damage response factors in these two diseases cooperatively modulated Top1cc turnover in a non-epistatic and ATM kinase-independent manner. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Interneuron Precursor Transplants in Adult Hippocampus Reverse Psychosis-Relevant Features in a Mouse Model of Hippocampal Disinhibition
Researchers used the cyclin D2 knockout mouse model to test potential links between hippocampal interneuron deficits and psychosis-relevant neurobehavioral phenotypes. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Fat Engineered to Secrete BMP4 Are Nononcogenic, Suppress Brain Cancer, and Prolong Survival
Researchers sought to engineer bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4)-secreting human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSC) and evaluate their therapeutic potential on glioblastoma. The reciprocal effects of hAMSCs on primary human brain tumor-initiating cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration were evaluated in vitro. [Clin Cancer Res] Full Article | Press Release

The Contribution of Ketone Bodies to Basal and Activity-Dependent Neuronal Oxidation In Vivo
Researchers found that ketone bodies present at sufficient concentration to saturate metabolism provides full support of basal (housekeeping) energy needs and up to approximately half of the activity-dependent oxidative needs of neurons. [J Cereb Blood Flow Metab] Abstract

Downregulation of SCAI Enhances Glioma Cell Invasion and Stem Cell Like Phenotype by Activating Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling
Investigators found that levels of SCAI (suppressor of cancer cell invasion) protein and mRNA expression were significantly downregulated in glioma tissues and cell lines. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

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Atypical Form of Alzheimer’s Disease May Be Present in a More Widespread Number of Patients, Mayo Clinic Says
Neuroscientists have defined a subtype of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that they say is neither well recognized nor treated appropriately. The variant, called hippocampal sparing AD, made up 11 percent of the 1,821 AD-confirmed brains examined by researchers – suggesting this subtype is relatively widespread in the general population. [Press release from Mayo Clinic discussing research presented at the 66^th American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, Philadelphia] Press Release | Video

Aduro BioTech Announces Initation of a Clinical Trial of Its Novel Immunotherapy in Patients with Brain Cancer at Providence Cancer Center
Aduro BioTech, Inc. announced that the first patients have been enrolled in a Phase I clinical trial to evaluate its novel immunotherapy ADU-623 in patients with high-grade glioma, a form of brain cancer. [BusinessWire]
Press Release